Abstract

Abstract

Soil properties and soybean response were compared for plots having different levels of drainage. The plots were established on a silty clay lakebed soil in northern Ohio. The soil and crop characteristics compared were: (1) average soil moisture content at four depths in the upper 30 cm during the seedbed preparation period (April and May); (2) soil tilth immediately preceding seedbed preparation as expressed by crust properties and resistance to surface penetration; and (3) stand establishment, root and top growth, and soybean yield. On plots with no drainage, crop stand was sparse and crop growth essentially nil. There were long periods with ponded water, and crusting and adverse structure of the surface soil were much in evidence. Among drained plots, there were no maesurable differences in crust bulk density and soybean stand. Plots having subsurface or combined surface-subsurface drainage had lower moisture content, less resistance to surface penetration, smaller crust units, taller plants, better developed root systems, and greater yields than plots with surface drainage alone.

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